A beach restaurant on the French Riviera has been partially closed after part of its roof collapsed onto customers dining on the terrace, leaving 15 people needing emergency treatment. The dramatic incident happened at the Les P'tits Galets beach establishment in Sainte-Maxime on Saturday afternoon.

According to local newspaper Nice-Matin, firefighters were called to the scene at around 1.30pm after a "lightweight roof" gave way above diners. Fifteen people who had been seated at tables on the terrace were treated by emergency services. Five customers suffered minor injuries, while several others were left in a state of shock. A major rescue operation was launched, with around 50 firefighters sent to the restaurant on Boulevard Jean-Moulin. The response included nine ambulances, a paramedic vehicle, a fire engine, three command vehicles and two personnel transport vehicles. Officers from the National Gendarmerie and the municipal police also attended the scene, alongside crews from the Saint-Tropez emergency medical service (SMUR).

The large-scale emergency operation caused major disruption, completely blocking traffic at the entrance to the popular seaside resort while crews worked to help those affected and secure the area.

A partial closure order is now set to be issued for the establishment to allow the damaged section of the building, along with another part constructed from the same materials, to be fenced off and inspected.

According to Nice-Matin, the beach restaurant is completely dismantled every winter before being reassembled in the spring.

The gendarmerie could now open an investigation to establish the precise circumstances surrounding the collapse and determine whether any negligence on the part of the manager contributed to the accident.

Nice-Matin reported that a main beam supporting a shade structure above the terrace appears to have given way, leading to the collapse.

The cause of the incident has not yet been officially confirmed.